Local News Now

Headline Surfer cartoon by Sera King / Parking remains an issue with the Hampton Inn in New Smyrna Beach.

Many people are finding it difficult to conjure up reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving, myself included. With the condition of the country and the world seeming to deteriorate before our very eyes, being thankful is the last thing on our minds.

Are you in this group? If so you need to look around you and see how much you actually have.

The City Commission on Tuesday night committed to spend $130,000.00 of your money to benefit special interest groups when they voted 5-0 to support an Echo Grant application for the "Richenberg Fish Farm" at the old high school site.

Yes, this is the "fantasy zone project" that you have been assured for two years that NO CITY MONEY would be used to support. And where did they find the money? You guessed it, in the "bare bones" 2009-2010 budget that just two months ago Commissioner Jack Grasty whined could not be cut or "people would lose their jobs."

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick and Henry Frederick.

At left, Canal Street is lit up as shown in this 6:45 p.m. Wednesday photo looking east. In the middle, the lights were on throughout the day as well. At right, Christmas lights also adorn two trees at City Hall on nearby Sams Avenue. The lights cost $9,000, not including the labor to have them installed. That has not yet been tabulated. This is in addition to the $9,000 Christmas tree, which was lit up Tuesday night, but not Wednesday night. It is to be officially lit 6 p.m. Friday. The latter figure does not include the cost of labor, which also has yet to be tabulated.

Click on the attachment on the cost of the Canal Street lights as provided by the city of New Smyrna Beach through a public records request by NSBNEWS.net:

Please click the attachment to read the police reports for the Tuesday day shift:

Nov. 25, 2009: Scott R. Canfield and Courtney B. Wilson, New Smyrna Beach.

Nov. 24, 2009: Ritchie L. Martin and Amy M. Curry, Edgewater.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Police are asking residents to be on the lookout for door-to-door scammers looking to make a quick buck.

Anyone seeking solicitations must have a "solicitation permit" when going door-to-door, said Sgt. Michael Brouillette, police department spokesman.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Two major things were accomplished tonight with a unanimous vote by the City Commission to spend $130,000: All but two of the buildings that housed the former high school could be razed and at least two community groups could have a new home.

Click the attachment to see police reports from overnight Sunday and Monday morning:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 43-year-old city man was robbed of an undisclosed amount cash by a gunman on Faulkner Street, just north of Mary Avenue just before noon, New Smyrna Beach police said.

The victim, Phillip Matthew, was unhurt, police said.